Let the speculation begin.
Now that the 49ers have officially ended the Jim Tomsula experiment – one that so many fans and NFL analysts predicted would be short and painful – reporters across the country have started to write stories about possible successors.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Twitter that former Eagles and University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly “has reached out to 49ers to express interest in their HC opening, per league source. 49ers likely to at least consider it.”
Michael Silver of NFL.com also reported that a representative for former Raiders, Broncos and Washington head coach Mike Shanahan, now 63, contacted the Niners about his interest in succeeding Tomsula as head coach.
Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported, too, that current Saints head coach Sean Payton may be available, and that the 49ers have interest in speaking with him.
They reported that the Eagles and 49ers both have interest in Payton, who has two years remaining on his contract in New Orleans, but has apparently fallen out of favor there after consecutive 7-9 seasons. Because he has time left on his deal, the 49ers would have to work out a compensation package to get Payton, who was 48-16 from 2009-2013 with the Saints, including a Super Bowl title.
Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback also reported that former Packers and Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren, 67, has let San Francisco know he has interest in the position. However, Holmgren last coached in the NFL in 2008.
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Jason Cole of Bleacher Report indicated that general manager Trent Baalke – who apparently is secure in his position – was to meet with Tomsula’s staff Monday to let assistants know of their future. CEO Jed York also was scheduled to hold a news conference Monday to address the coaching situation and the disaster that was the 5-11 2015 season.
So do Kelly, Shanahan, Payton or Holmgren make sense for the 49ers?
Kelly seems like an exciting possibility, but it’s hard to see him fitting in under Baalke, after having so much control in Philadelphia. And Shanahan and Holmgren may be older than what the 49ers want for their next chapter.
Payton, however, could be a fit. He did dynamic things in New Orleans, is just 52, still has the respect of his Saints players and is 144-87 as a head coach, with a 10-6 postseason record. He’d bring instant credibility – if the 49ers could pry him away from the Saints.
Plus, as Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group tweeted Monday, Baalke and Payton both have a background with former NFL coach Bill Parcells.
They “are branches off the Bill Parcells tree,” wrote Inman. “Makes a lot of sense.”
But after parting with Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 season, the 49ers appeared content to hire a low-profile, low-cost head coach who wouldn't challenge Baalke or York. The question is, will they be willing to bring in a stronger, high-cost personality to right the ship in 2016?
